With the Multi District Impact Summit bringing March to an end it was always going to be a big month but I am only now just realizing how big.It started with me attending Rotary Essendon’s second Annual Duck race which despite overcast skies was a great success. Then on Saturday. with 8,000 others, went to Harcourt to support the annual AppleFest which this year acted as a turning point in recovery after the bushfires, which included the building of a permanent stage in the park to be used for this and other events which Rotary Castlemaine contributed to. I then went on to Rochester in the evening for Songs at the Silos which was a great success with over 600 in attendance. On Monday 9th March I joined my home club Altona running a Bunnings BBQ which was a great success.
On Wednesday March 11, I hosted a large group of Rotarians from various clubs at Queen Victoria Market where I shared my vocation and knowledge in a tour before sending the group to dinner at the Night Market. I then went on to my official visit to Southbank Elsternwick where I got to help with the induction of 6 new members. On Thursday 12th, I had the pleasure in joining in on the Cluster Quiz hosted by Rotary North Balwyn and won by Rotary Hawthorn - again a fun night for all involved. On the Tuesday, (St Patrick’s Day) I was once again the Stage Manager at the Melbourne Celtic Festival: again great fun and this year will bring the total funds raised to just over $100,000 which is awesome.
On Friday 20th, I went up to Bendigo to have Dinner with the RoCan Bike Riders and then bid them farewell early the next day. On the Sunday I visited the Lift the Lid Walk put on by Rotary Mont Albert Surrey Hills (Mash) and North Balwyn, then dropped in on Rotary Brighton’s fifth annual Classic Car Show, On Tuesday 24th, we welcomed PRIP Jennifer Jones and her husband Nick when they visited Donations in Kind and in the evening helped launch the 16th session of the very successful Police Mentoring program run by Rotary Central Melbourne. Next day, Wednesday, I joined a big crowd at Rotary Melbourne Lunch where Jennifer Jones was guest speaker and after lunch took her and Nick to see the peace bells that were the legacy project from her convention in Melbourne in 2023.
Finally, it was off to Horsham for the Multi District Impact Summit which brought together our district with districts 9510 & 9780. You can read more about the summit in the “love letter” written by Jennifer Jones and Nick to summarise the event, but I need to give a huge thanks to all involved especially my fellow DGs Rajeev (9510) & Christine (9780) who along with me comprised the organizing committee. Together we put together a memorable event.
Enjoy the Easter break coming up and continue to find ways to collaborate and work to ensure all members have a sense of belonging.
Unite for Good
Peter Shepheard